Off to Ballarat we go. Hopefully we play a bit more positively this time, despite being away.
WPM R6 vs Western United | Sat 2nd Dec | 7:30pm | Sky Sports 2
Off to Ballarat we go. Hopefully we play a bit more positively this time, despite being away.
They may be bottom of the league but they still pose a threat, I'd bet happy with a confident display and a 1-0 win. Dont need score 6 goals a game to win the league.
Off to Ballarat we go. Hopefully we play a bit more positively this time, despite being away.
They may be bottom of the league but they still pose a threat, I'd bet happy with a confident display and a 1-0 win. Dont need score 6 goals a game to win the league.
I'll take a 0-1 win but hopefully with at least 1 shot on goal to go with it.
They've got as much speed and quality in the front third as most teams in the league this year but they haven't quite put it together yet. From what I saw at the weekend they aren't far off though, and I'm not sure I'd want to see us trying to play too expansively cos they are very dangerous on the break.
Definitely a case where any complacency or lack of concentration from us could spell trouble.
Definitely a case where any complacency or lack of concentration from us could spell trouble.
They've got as much speed and quality in the front third as most teams in the league this year but they haven't quite put it together yet. From what I saw at the weekend they aren't far off though, and I'm not sure I'd want to see us trying to play too expansively cos they are very dangerous on the break.
Definitely a case where any complacency or lack of concentration from us could spell trouble.
Definitely a case where any complacency or lack of concentration from us could spell trouble.
Well: Tactically we're the best in the league.
We have the best goalkeeper in the league.
We have the best midfield in the league.
We have 2 of the best academy products.
We're young (median age). Improving in ability and confidence every game.
We're missing a striker but with reasonable back up.
To me this match is like Salernitana v Inter Milan (my European team, had a season ticket for 19 years)
We're there for 3 points not 6 goals. We'll get 3 points, no question.
Win the next 2 games (we will) and We're ahead of where Melbourne City were after 7 games last season.
They've got as much speed and quality in the front third as most teams in the league this year but they haven't quite put it together yet. From what I saw at the weekend they aren't far off though, and I'm not sure I'd want to see us trying to play too expansively cos they are very dangerous on the break.
Definitely a case where any complacency or lack of concentration from us could spell trouble.
Definitely a case where any complacency or lack of concentration from us could spell trouble.
Well: Tactically we're the best in the league.
We have the best goalkeeper in the league.
We have the best midfield in the league.
We have 2 of the best academy products.
We're young (median age). Improving in ability and confidence every game.
We're missing a striker but with reasonable back up.
To me this match is like Salernitana v Inter Milan (my European team, had a season ticket for 19 years)
We're there for 3 points not 6 goals. We'll get 3 points, no question.
Win the next 2 games (we will) and We're ahead of where Melbourne City were after 7 games last season.
Also a terrible comparison there - A-League is not like any Euro league. Any team can win on the day especially at home. The table may illustrate a big gap but we have overperformed our statistics quite a lot, and Western have underperformed theirs.
To make those claims about what we are the best in the league at... way too early in the season.
Thanks for creating a discussion.
I won't talk about my comparison with Serie A. A bit tongue in cheek because it's from my former life.
Yes. Last season we certainly had the squad to win the league. The management let us down. This year is different and will be different.
I will keep making predictions. Maybe I'm right. Maybe I'm wrong. I believe very strongly in our current management and squad. The key elements to the management, I believe to be:
Chiefy
AG
Bally
Rufer
All of whom appear to be top guys.
I believe now, worst case, we finish the season on 51 points. Worst case being that we get 1.8 points per game, the same as when Pennington was sole DM for 10 games in April 2022. Back then, there was no defensive organisation whatsoever. And we had all of our attack and attacking midfield injured, they managed Cameo appearances to get us the odd goal, which got us into the playoffs.
And I'm very confident AP is the best goalkeeper in the league and that Rufer, Pennington, Al Taay, and Kraev are the best organised midfield in the league. And probably the best individuals.
I have watched all of the A-League matches, and in most cases, having watched us, I think "what a disorganised mess". No not most cases, every case.
I won't talk about my comparison with Serie A. A bit tongue in cheek because it's from my former life.
Yes. Last season we certainly had the squad to win the league. The management let us down. This year is different and will be different.
I will keep making predictions. Maybe I'm right. Maybe I'm wrong. I believe very strongly in our current management and squad. The key elements to the management, I believe to be:
Chiefy
AG
Bally
Rufer
All of whom appear to be top guys.
I believe now, worst case, we finish the season on 51 points. Worst case being that we get 1.8 points per game, the same as when Pennington was sole DM for 10 games in April 2022. Back then, there was no defensive organisation whatsoever. And we had all of our attack and attacking midfield injured, they managed Cameo appearances to get us the odd goal, which got us into the playoffs.
And I'm very confident AP is the best goalkeeper in the league and that Rufer, Pennington, Al Taay, and Kraev are the best organised midfield in the league. And probably the best individuals.
I have watched all of the A-League matches, and in most cases, having watched us, I think "what a disorganised mess". No not most cases, every case.
Oh panda I love your optimism. 51 points would be the 2nd highest points achieved by any team in the past 3 seasons (city had 53 last season).
All I have wanted for years and years is a finals game in Wellington and hopefully this is the year to achieve it. My research tells me 41 points usually secures top 4 (5 of last 6 seasons).
Hopefully we can achieve this season as uffie fell short during his past 3 seasons.
My prediction is we win 1-0 this weekend
All I have wanted for years and years is a finals game in Wellington and hopefully this is the year to achieve it. My research tells me 41 points usually secures top 4 (5 of last 6 seasons).
Hopefully we can achieve this season as uffie fell short during his past 3 seasons.
My prediction is we win 1-0 this weekend
Look at how Ange's spurs are tracking this season and you can see how quickly the wheels can fall off. We're doing well but we also have an inexperienced squad and not much depth. Good news is you need around 40 points to make it into the finals, and we're more than a quater of the way there after only 5 games.
Yeah, I think a big thing that could derail us this season is injuries as we're really light on depth. Lucky atm with Zawada out we have Ball that can step in but if we get a bunch of injuries at once it could end up like the first covid season.
Look at how Ange's spurs are tracking this season and you can see how quickly the wheels can fall off. We're doing well but we also have an inexperienced squad and not much depth. Good news is you need around 40 points to make it into the finals, and we're more than a quater of the way there after only 5 games.
Different game plans though. Ange’s defense requires fast and fit defenders. And it was always going to be a death or glory kind of approach. And to be fair to Ange, they’ve lost 3 games, but they’ve kept creating chances , in fact bucket loads, and been great to watch.
But yeh- Pennington on a bolloxy yellow slowed us down. But we had the mental toughness to get something there. But perhaps that just shows the respect paid to us as well…
Yes. I agree with all of that. It's fingers crossed on the injuries front.
Western were lucky not to win their last game. They did everything right except that little bit of luck for their shots to go in. I certainly would not under estimate them.
Western were lucky not to win their last game. They did everything right except that little bit of luck for their shots to go in. I certainly would not under estimate them.
This is a harder game than the city one imo. City are a known entity whereas western have been very unlucky. I’d be overjoyed with a draw there given the amount of chances they’re creating right now.
Anything to the argument that you make your own luck?
Anything to the argument that you make your own luck?
Of course you do, and we have come into this season with what seems to be a new found confidence and structureto our defence - which has resulted in some well played and hard earned points. However, football, particularly in this league, is a game that anyone can win, all it takes is one moment. I give you the game we drew this season 1-1 without a shot on goal. 1 moment for or against you, regardless of your prep, can turn a game on its head.
That doesnt mean you dont keep working and preparing for everything though.
Western were lucky not to win their last game. They did everything right except that little bit of luck for their shots to go in. I certainly would not under estimate them.
We had games like that in past seasons, where we did not score despite having several chances, and the opposition had one chance and took it.
I still get flashbacks of that game last year against Western when we were up 2-0 and had missed a penalty to lose 3-2 in the last 20 minutes.
No matter how skillful and strong the opposition might be, walking into an 'empty away stadium' would certainly give me all the motivation and confidence I'd need to go and dominate the game. Afterall, there'll be no real support for the 'home team' lol
No matter how skillful and strong the opposition might be, walking into an 'empty away stadium' would certainly give me all the motivation and confidence I'd need to go and dominate the game. Afterall, there'll be no real support for the 'home team' lol
With Tim Danaskos as referee
WUN: 2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
WEL: 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
Not sure if we have ever found out if he is related to Troy or not.
WUN: 2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
WEL: 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
Not sure if we have ever found out if he is related to Troy or not.
I really hope they are managing Zawada correctly. We've all seen (and I experienced firsthand) the risk of long term groin strains
I really hope they are managing Zawada correctly. We've all seen (and I experienced firsthand) the risk of long term groin strains
Keep them guessing at WU.
I really hope they are managing Zawada correctly. We've all seen (and I experienced firsthand) the risk of long term groin strains
Keep them guessing at WU.
Was it that 4-1 win at Ballarat where Talay pulled off some master deception? Like he made mention pre game of someone being injured, they weren't, and they played a big part in a Nix win. Feels like it was a WU match in Victoria, catching Rudan or Aloisi on the hop.
Edit -answered my own question, sort of.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football-wellington-phoenix-bounce-back-with-a-league-win-over-western-united/IWTGZHZGKAP5TLH5G6XESQ4KWQ/
Coach Ufuk Talay also pulled a considerable surprise, using a 5-4-1 formation for the first time in his tenure, which caught Western United out in first half.
I really hope they are managing Zawada correctly. We've all seen (and I experienced firsthand) the risk of long term groin strains
Keep them guessing at WU.
Was it that 4-1 win at Ballarat where Talay pulled off some master deception? Like he made mention pre game of someone being injured, they weren't, and they played a big part in a Nix win. Feels like it was a WU match in Victoria, catching Rudan or Aloisi on the hop.
Edit -answered my own question, sort of.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football-wellington-phoenix-bounce-back-with-a-league-win-over-western-united/IWTGZHZGKAP5TLH5G6XESQ4KWQ/
Coach Ufuk Talay also pulled a considerable surprise, using a 5-4-1 formation for the first time in his tenure, which caught Western United out in first half.
NO!!!!!
Don't get me started.
When things go right you guys credit the wrong person.
When things go wrong, you slate the wrong person.
Please!
I really hope they are managing Zawada correctly. We've all seen (and I experienced firsthand) the risk of long term groin strains
Keep them guessing at WU.
Was it that 4-1 win at Ballarat where Talay pulled off some master deception? Like he made mention pre game of someone being injured, they weren't, and they played a big part in a Nix win. Feels like it was a WU match in Victoria, catching Rudan or Aloisi on the hop.
Edit -answered my own question, sort of.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football-wellington-phoenix-bounce-back-with-a-league-win-over-western-united/IWTGZHZGKAP5TLH5G6XESQ4KWQ/
Coach Ufuk Talay also pulled a considerable surprise, using a 5-4-1 formation for the first time in his tenure, which caught Western United out in first half.
NO!!!!!
Don't get me started.
When things go right you guys credit the wrong person.
When things go wrong, you slate the wrong person.
Please!
If Talay changed formation that game and they won convincingly then surely he had a bit to do with that?
Again I may have the wrong game. But definitely post a Nix win in Victoria over WU, Aloisi or Rudan (I think it was Aloisi) admitted he was bluffed pre match by Talay, and the tactics or whoever started for the Nix completely caught him by surprise. Chiefy maybe (though it reads unlikely) is trying similar with Zawada.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/301019071/star-wellington-phoenix-striker-oskar-zawada-makes-surprise-return
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/301019071/star-wellington-phoenix-striker-oskar-zawada-makes-surprise-return
I really hope they are managing Zawada correctly. We've all seen (and I experienced firsthand) the risk of long term groin strains
Keep them guessing at WU.
Was it that 4-1 win at Ballarat where Talay pulled off some master deception? Like he made mention pre game of someone being injured, they weren't, and they played a big part in a Nix win. Feels like it was a WU match in Victoria, catching Rudan or Aloisi on the hop.
Edit -answered my own question, sort of.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football-wellington-phoenix-bounce-back-with-a-league-win-over-western-united/IWTGZHZGKAP5TLH5G6XESQ4KWQ/
Coach Ufuk Talay also pulled a considerable surprise, using a 5-4-1 formation for the first time in his tenure, which caught Western United out in first half.
NO!!!!!
Don't get me started.
When things go right you guys credit the wrong person.
When things go wrong, you slate the wrong person.
Please!
If Talay changed formation that game and they won convincingly the surely he had a bit to do with that?
Pennington won 28 Duels. The next highest was Wootton with 10. At least 2 of the 3 goals came after Pennington had won the ball for us and another from a penalty which Pennington won.
Having slated him in the previous 2 matches, you'd have thought he'd get some credit in this match. We'd been annihilated in those previous matches, not because of 1 individual player but because of inept structure/tactics and a midfield/forward line who were mostly injured or recovering. Any tracking back by any of those guys was adhoc at best.
In this match; 5-4-1, don't make me laugh. It was 6 attackers and 4 defenders.
Anyway. I told you NOT to get me started.
Sorry! I should add. Total respect to Josh Sotirio. He was undoubtedly MOM in this match.
Sorry! I should add. Total respect to Josh Sotirio. He was undoubtedly MOM in this match.
As much as he annoyed me, I kinda miss Sotirio. He had good impact off the bench, something we don't really have atm.
Sorry! I should add. Total respect to Josh Sotirio. He was undoubtedly MOM in this match.
As much as he annoyed me, I kinda miss Sotirio. He had good impact off the bench, something we don't really have atm.
Never annoyed me. Strong, fast and then at times sublime. Happy to be a sub. Really gave us a threat off the bench in the last couple of seasons with us. If he was clinical too, he’d have been in a top league.
Sorry! I should add. Total respect to Josh Sotirio. He was undoubtedly MOM in this match.
As much as he annoyed me, I kinda miss Sotirio. He had good impact off the bench, something we don't really have atm.
Never annoyed me. Strong, fast and then at times sublime. Happy to be a sub. Really gave us a threat off the bench in the last couple of seasons with us. If he was clinical too, he’d have been in a top league.
Was he played as a starter by the Jets? I know he lasted only a season before he went off to Kerala, but was he a starter?
Sorry! I should add. Total respect to Josh Sotirio. He was undoubtedly MOM in this match.
As much as he annoyed me, I kinda miss Sotirio. He had good impact off the bench, something we don't really have atm.
Never annoyed me. Strong, fast and then at times sublime. Happy to be a sub. Really gave us a threat off the bench in the last couple of seasons with us. If he was clinical too, he’d have been in a top league.
Was he played as a starter by the Jets? I know he lasted only a season before he went off to Kerala, but was he a starter?
Think so. He did well for us particularly when we played on the counter, which was closing a game out or when we succumbed to playing on the counter as a result of injuries. Or as a result of his form, even.
The way we lose players at the peak of their powers and then they have a poor season you have to wonder if their new coaches have seriously considered how to use them or if they think the more fire power they can cram in the better it is.
Massive chance for us to end the round in first if the Brisbane sees out their game against WSW, Fire Up!
Massive chance for us to end the round in first if the Brisbane sees out their game against WSW, Fire Up!
I was thinking during the first half that the Roar's defensive organisation was as good as ours. But we hold it together for 90+ minutes. They couldn't keep it together beyond half time.